India to Release RFP of ₹30,000 Crore For MALE Drone

India is entering a new phase of defence modernisation, with a strong push for indigenous weapons production and large-scale procurement. At the Network18 Reforms Reloaded 2025 summit in Delhi, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh announced that a Request for Proposal (RFP) worth ₹30,000 crore will soon be released for Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones.

This announcement marks one of the biggest steps in India’s effort to build a self-reliant defence ecosystem and reduce dependence on foreign imports.

Why MALE Drones Matter

The upcoming MALE-class drones will significantly improve India’s ability to conduct long surveillance missions, border monitoring, and network-centric warfare. These drones are not only meant for watching borders but also for precision strike missions, making them a crucial part of modern military operations.

Recent global wars have shown that modern conflicts rely on massive use of drones and missiles. India has so far used these in a calibrated manner, but in future, the country will need large stockpiles and the ability to manufacture them quickly and at scale.

A Bigger Defence Vision

India plans to sustain $25–30 billion of capital defence expenditure every year for the next decade. Importantly, at least 75% of this spending will be reserved for domestic industry. This means more contracts for Indian companies, more factories, and more jobs.

The government is also planning annual budget growth of 17–18% over the next five years, with near-term growth around 10%. This steady rise ensures that modernisation programs will not slow down.

Last year, defence projects worth ₹2.09 lakh crore were signed, and Singh revealed that ₹1.5 lakh crore in contracts will be signed soon, with another ₹75,000 crore pipeline under consideration.

Breaking Old Barriers

For decades, India’s defence sector was dominated by state-owned firms, which often faced capacity limitations. Singh admitted that companies like BDL and MIL cannot meet the massive missile and munitions requirements of prolonged conflicts.

Now, India is moving away from order reservations and nomination-based contracts. Instead, there will be open competitive bidding, giving private companies a much bigger role. To support start-ups and innovators, the Defence Ministry is creating dedicated sections with five years of assured procurement support, and new, simpler procedures for capital expenditure will be rolled out by December 2025.

Balancing Air Power

While India recognises that fifth-generation fighter jets will not be available immediately, Singh stressed that the gap can be filled by acquiring more 4th and 4.5 generation fighters, but with advanced weapons systems. This approach ensures India can maintain deterrence until indigenous projects like the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) are ready.

A Competitive, Technology-Driven Future

India’s future defence partnerships will be guided by technology acquisition and operational needs, not just politics. The country remains open to working with both the United States and Russia, provided they are willing to share critical technologies.

The shift is clear — India is moving toward a competitive, innovation-driven defence ecosystem, where domestic industry, start-ups, and global partnerships all play a role.

The ₹30,000 crore MALE drone project is set to become a flagship of this new approach. It shows how India wants to combine large-scale investment, competition, and indigenous manufacturing into one model.

By doing this, India is not just buying weapons — it is building the industrial backbone needed for long-term security, rapid wartime production, and even defence exports.

The transformation marks a turning point: from being import-dependent and state-dominated, India is reshaping itself into a self-reliant, technology-powered military force.